Heart Healthy Breakfast
So I am calling this a heart healthy breakfast because everything in it supports a healthy heart and cardiovascular system - everything! It is great example of how food really is medicine. In everything you eat you have the opportunity to start healing yourself.
The base of this porridge is oats, chia, flaxseed, a grated apple and cinnamon. I've soaked them overnight in some green juice and almond milk. In the morning Ive topped it with blueberries, pomegranate, almond butter and bee pollen. It tastes really good which is the reason I love this breakfast - and its super quick to assemble on any busy morning- but deeper than this is the fact that it is actually really good for you. It has all the ingredients for healthy heart and it supports you nutritionally until your next meal - containing healthy fats, protein, omega 3, vitamins, minerals, fiber, super foods and you get to eat a rainbow for breakfast!
I am going to go through each ingredient and quickly explain the benefits:
Oats contains fiber and beta glucans that help reduce levels of cholesterol and blood sugar. They are also rich in magnesium which helps to regulate glucose and insulin
flaxseeds are anti inflammatory, containing omega 3, and ligans which help with the prevention of cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance. A 30 gram serving over 12 weeks has been shown to lower blood pressure , blood sugar and belly fat.
Green juice contains greens which is important for hundreds of functions - one of the many things that they contain are nitrates - which open up blood vessels. They are also full of magnesium which helps to relax the blood vessels.
Apples contain a compound called quercetin that help in the reduction of blood pressure
Blueberries are full of antioxidants and phytonutrients that support a healthy heart and blood vessels. They contain anthocyanins which help to keep the blood vessels open and lower the risk of heart attacks. They also help with blood sugar control and diabetes.
Pomegranate - even small amounts have been shown to help reduce blood lipids, blood pressure and the build up of plaque in arteries.
Nut butters contain both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and plant sterols which block the absorption of dietary cholesterol. They help to lower LDL cholesterol, improve blood vessel expansion and reduce inflammation
In every bite you take you can fight disease ... Eat well.